Category: Uncategorized
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Finding Vintage Chenille Feels Like Finding Gold
I’ve always had a soft spot for vintage chenille. Here in New Zealand we call it candlewick, and it holds a special place in my quilting heart.It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find, particularly the beautiful patterned varieties. Many of these bedspreads are decades old, and the patterned pieces are often the first to disappear when…
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When to reverse stitch and when to save yourself some time…
When it comes to rag quilting, a little extra reinforcement goes a long way, especially if you want your rag quilt to last through years of cuddles, washing, and everyday use. One of the easiest ways to strengthen your seams is by reverse stitching, also called backstitching. In my own quilts, I always reverse stitch…
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The Chenille Myth
When I first began making rag quilts, I called my label Candlewick & Roses. Here in New Zealand, “candlewick” refers to a textured, tufted cotton bedspread, usually vintage. I had collected quite a few over the years and loved using them in my quilts. The “roses” part came from one of my favourite flowers. What…
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The question I get asked more than any other:
“How do you get your fluffy seams?” My answer has always been the same , and it’s surprisingly simple but it’s often overlooked while people search for the “secret.” 1️⃣ Use 100% cotton fabrics Woven fabrics like quilter’s cotton, muslin, and flannel give the best ragging. Synthetics don’t fluff. 2️⃣ Prewash your fabrics Prewashing gets…
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How (and Why) I Tear Fabric for Perfectly Straight Quilt Squares
When I’m cutting rag quilt squares, I don’t start with a rotary cutter, I start with a snip and tear. Fabric is woven from two sets of threads: • Warp threads run the length of the fabric, parallel to the selvages. • Weft threads run across the fabric, from selvage to selvage. The weft threads…
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Rag Quilt Seam Widths – Finding the Perfect Balance
When making a rag quilt, seam width isn’t just about holding your layers together, it’s a design feature in its own right. Because the seams are exposed and frayed, they become part of the texture and style of the finished quilt. Choosing the right width can make a big difference to how your quilt looks,…
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Why Polyester thread Is best for Rag quilts
Cotton thread is traditional for quilting but polyester thread is the better option for rag quilting. There’s why: 🧵 Stronger & More Durable Rag quilts go through a lot, snipping, fraying, washing, and tumble drying (sometimes many times over). Polyester thread is much stronger than cotton and less likely to snap under pressure, especially at…
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Common Rag Quilting Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
By Raewyn Stewart – Rag Quilt Tutorials Made Simple Rag quilting is a beautiful and beginner-friendly way to get into quilting. It’s fun, creative, and lets you see results quickly. But like any craft, there are a few common missteps that can trip you up, especially when you’re just starting out. The good news? Every…
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The History of Rag Quilts and the Influence of Modern Designers (shared with permission)
Rag quilts are a unique branch of quilting that blend tradition with a rustic, handmade aesthetic. Unlike conventional quilts with their crisp, finished seams, rag quilts celebrate raw edges and frayed softness, offering both charm and comfort. Their origins are deeply tied to necessity, thrift, and the enduring spirit of homemaking, yet in recent years,…
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The Timeless Appeal of Collected Vintage Fabrics for Rag Quilting
There’s something magical about working with vintage fabric, the delicate florals, charming pastels, and faded prints carry stories stitched into their very fibres. For quilters, collected vintage fabrics aren’t just materials; they’re a source of inspiration, nostalgia, and authenticity. 🌸🌸🌸 Why Vintage Fabrics Are Perfect for Rag Quilts 1. Character You Can’t Fake Vintage fabrics…
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Georgia
Georgia – floral cotton in colour illusion strips. Rosette seams with a crisp white border. Caterpillar Club 2.0
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Build Your Dream Quilt in Hours, Not Days
Are you ready to dive into quilting but feel overwhelmed by the time it takes to prepare? With Build a Quilt, you can skip the hassle and jump straight into the fun part: designing and assembling your quilt. We offer a unique concept for quilters at any skill level, pre-made, ready-to-use quilt blocks. These 8-inch…
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Build a Quilt
📣 Introducing Build a Quilt!Do you love rag quilting but don’t have the time to start from scratch? Our pre-washed, pre-sewn, 8-inch quilt blocks are here to make your quilting dreams come true! Mix, match, and build your perfect quilt with ease. Ready to create something beautiful? 💖✨ *Pricing & pre-order info coming soon!
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The pitfalls of Networking for small businesses
“Reciprocal networking, or ‘like for like,’ has been a common practice for a while. You like my page, I like yours, simple, right? 😊 But here’s the catch: it doesn’t actually work. All you end up with is a bunch of followers who aren’t genuinely interested in your work, and often, you’ve just added potential…
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Let your customers know you!
Scenario 1 – You’re rushing into the supermarket in your usual last-minute hurry with a million things on your mind. There’s a raffle seller at the door, she makes eye contact but you avert your eyes, sail through the door, and never think of her again. Scenario 2 – You’re dashing into the supermarket in…
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TRIGGER WARNING
Hi everyone, it’s been a surreal few months as our family gathered to say goodbye to a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.My Dad was in his 90’s and lived a long and full life. He had been unwell in the last few years and his condition was only going to progress.Dad chose Assisted Dying which was…
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Facebook vs the rest of the internet
It’s hard to believe I know, but there is a world outside Facebook 🤷♀️ A Facebook business page should be your first stop as you start your business. Your second stop should be a page away from Facebook, Instagram or the other social media sites. Meta algorithms can be unpredictable and a mistake or hacker…
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The Amy Tutorial
Amy is a genuine double-sided rag quilt as all seams rag on both sides. I used pastels/brights for this design but the possibilities are absolutely endless. A totally different look just by flipping it over and still retaining the charm of the ragging. This one is on my Etsy store. R x Candlewick and Roses…